Johnston Press has hosted a meeting for analysts and investors on its digital publishing strategy, which will convert 70 newsrooms into multimedia operations, following a pilot in Preston at the Lancashire Evening Post.
The event gave a chance for the investment community to learn more about Johnston’s digital strategy, how the needs of both consumers and advertisers are changing in the rapidly evolving digital world, and the opportunities for the company in this shifting media environment. The meeting included a series of presentations from senior management and specialists from across the business.

The publisher of the Belfast Telegraph has said it is looking forward to “another successful year of double-digit earnings growth”.
In a pre-close trading update, Independent News and Media said it expected to report an increase of more than three per cent in total revenue for the six months to June 30, with advertising, online and circulation revenues all on the up. In addition to the UK, the group publishes newspapers in the Republic of Ireland, Australasia and South Africa.

Former newspaper entrepreneur William Alder, (56), has admitted 11 charges of theft at Maidstone Crown Court, after stealing “debts” totaling £1,765 which the Maidstone and Mid Kent Chamber of Commerce, where he was chief executive, owed to the bank.
The court heard that his breach of trust was down to not declaring the full extent of use of his company credit card on company accounts that were already in the red. The hearing was adjourned for pre-sentence reports. Alder set up the Milton Keynes Citizen and Aberdeen Independent.

Guardian Media Group has launched a new advertising campaign to promote its Channel M TV Station.
Clear Marketing was appointed by Channel M to devise a campaign to show that Channel M provides more Manchester news, sport and entertainment than any other channel. The high impact plan was developed utilising the “M” of the channel as a consistent visual icon and will be included on taxi wraps, newspaper wraps, press, radio and bus advertising.

Newsquoter International, based in Howden, East Yorkshire, has successfully attracted an equity investment valuing the business at £4m. The company has recently launched an innovative online database of media quotes and expert follow-up leads for journalists at www.newsquoter.com.
Investor Donald Adamson has more than 20 years of experience of fund management, corporate finance and private equity, and has made a significant investment in Newsquoter on behalf of a family investment company. Newsquoter chief executive Paul Moulton said: “Donald’s investment is a strong vote of confidence in our business plan from an experienced and well-connected investor.”